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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 2009-05-18 - Special Meeting 102 City Council, Special Meeting Council Chambers 777 Cypress A venue Redding, California May 18, 2009 5:15 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Jones with the following Council Members present: Dickerson, McArthur, and Stegall. Mayor Bosetti was absent. Also present were City Manager Starman, Assistant City Manager Tippin, City Attorney Duvernay, Community Services Director Niemer, and City Clerk Strohmayer. I At the hour of 5:45 p.m., Vice Mayor Jones convened the Special Meeting of the Redding City Council for a joint meeting with the Redding Municipal Library Board. ORDINANCE - Amending Redding Municipal Code Section 2.42.120 - Library Regulations re prohibiting smoking on the Redding Library campus (L-050) Community Services Director Niemer recalled that the City Council at its meeting in March 2008, amended the Redding Municipal Code to prohibit smoking within 60 feet of the entry door to the Redding Municipal Library (Library). She observed that the ordinance did not include the branch libraries at Burney or Anderson. Since that time, it has become evident that the results desired were not achieved, and smoking at the Library campus continues to be an issue for those utilizing the Library. She pointed out that the entire campus area is a gathering place for many of Redding's residents, particularly the elderly and children. As restriction of smoking and second-hand smoke is an important health issue in the community, discussions have ensued with Library staff and the Library Advisory Board on how to make the Library an example of learning enjoyment and health. Ms. Niemer recommended that the Redding Municipal Library Board accept the Report and approve the recommendation by the Library Advisory Board and recommended that the City Council offer an ordinance for first reading and waive the full reading, amending Redding Municipal Code (RMC) Section 2.42. 120-Library Regulations amending Subsection 10 to prohibit smoking within or upon the Library site, including the building, patios, landscaped grounds, parking lots, and roofs within the specified boundary areas. I Nathan Read, representing Shasta County Public Health Education Prograsm, Steve Layton, Shasta County Public Health Tobacco Compliance Officer, Jim Ceragioli, Friends of the Library, and Peggy O'Lea, Executive Director of the Library Foundation, supported the amendments because smoking and second-hand smoke is considered a serious health issue and there are long-term health risks, persons have a constitutional right to clean air, the Library has generated the second greatest number of complaints regarding smoking in Shasta County, the daily maintenance of removing more than a hundred cigarette butts from the Library grounds, and almost 30% oflibrary card holders are under the age of 18. Charles Alexander, Redding resident, opposed regulation of private liberties. Library Trustee/Council Member McArthur supported the amendment to make the area cleaner and healthier. Library Trustee/Council Member Stegall supported the amendment but asked the City Council to consider other areas of the City that should also be smoke-free such as the City Hall campus, although those buildings could be discussed at a later date. I Library Board Vice President/Vice Mayor Jones opposed the amendment and believed there must be some area of the Library campus where smoking could be allowed. He advised he would vote no on the matter because he felt it infringed on personal freedoms. Library Trustee/Council Member Dickerson opined that a smoke-free Library campus was an issue of common sense because of the inherent health issues. He stated that the Library is unique among public buildings because it is a gathering place where people bring children to learn and that should not include smoking when it is a proven health issue. 5/18/2009 I I I 103 MOTION: Made by Council Member Dickerson, seconded by Council Member McArthur approving the amendment to Redding Municipal Code (RMC) Section 2.42. 120-Library Regulations amending Subsection A.l 0 to prohibit smoking on the grounds of the Redding Municipal Library. The Vote: AYES: Council Members - Dickerson, McArthur, and Stegall NOES: Council Members - Jones ABSTAIN: Council Members - None ABSENT: Council Members - Bosetti Council Member Dickerson offered Ordinance No. 2434 for first reading, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redding amending Redding Municipal Code Section 2.42.120- Library Regulations amending Subsection A.l 0 to prohibit smoking within or upon the Library site, including the building, patios, landscaped grounds, parking lots, and roofs within the specified boundary areas set forth in the ordinance. MOTION: Made by Council Member Dickerson, seconded by Council Member McArthur, that the full reading of Ordinance No. 2434 be waived, and that the City Attorney be instructed to read the full title. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at the hour of6:16 p.m., Vice Mayor Jones declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: ~myp~~ City Clerk - t'}G'5i6~+ 5/18/2009